Here are a staking machine and its mechanism. Hardened leather after drying is sandwiched between vibrating stakes to soften the fibers of the leather.Boarding by hand or machine is another method to soften leather. Besides softening, it develops grain patterns — willow grain, box grain, and pebbled grain. Box grain is considered as one of the origin of box calf.Here are other explanations of its origin from Handmade Shoes for Men.These are current definitions.

Exactly.The leather used by the experiment is made from deerskin by the following method.As for terminology, looks like substitute for Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) may vary depending on the country.BTW, Baker's website has been redesigned.http://www.jfjbaker.co.uk/

The former webpage is user-friendly.
http://web.archive.org/web/20000510041202/http://www.nicksboots.com/boots/boots.htm
Here is a drawing: Nick's Welted (left) and White's (right). Nick's Welted uses a wider rolled welt, so they have clearer double bottom stitching.
Nick's Contender doesn't have a rolled welt and uses McKay instead of nails. "Contender" is impressed on a shaft or a sock lining, afaik.